Suit targets PM’s role in islands row [#Cambodia #Vietnam]

A youth activist has filed a complaint against Prime Minister Hun Sen at Phnom Penh Municipal Court, accusing him of illegally ceding Koh Tral and Koh Krachak Ses islands, now known as Phu Quoc and Tho Chu, respectively, to Vietnam.

Neang Sokhun, 25, president of Khmer Youth Federation of Patriots, said he had enough evidence to sue Hun Sen.

“I have adequate evidence to … accuse Mr Prime Minister Hun Sen. I have some documents that [Hun Sen] signed with the yuon [Vietnamese] prime minister in 1982,” Sokhun said. “I am not scared of [filing a complaint against Hun Sen], because I am the Khmer youth.”

Council of Ministers spokesman Phay Siphan yesterday dismissed the complaint.

“The Royal government has done everything according to … international law and international treaties,” he said.

Past attempts to sue Hun Sen at the municipal court have gone nowhere, with two cases – one in 2012 and one last year – thrown out by the court.